Lesson 1

Question 1

Transduction

Answer 1

The process of converting one form of energy into another that your brain can use

Question 2

Absolute Threshold

Answer 2

The minimum stimulation needed to detect a particular stimulus (light, sound, pressure, taste or odour) 50% of the time.

Question 3

Just Noticeable Difference

Answer 3

(The difference threshold) Is the minimum difference a person can detect between any two stimuli half of the time. That difference threshold increases with the size of the stimulus.

Question 4

Sensory Adaptation

Answer 4

Sensation adaptation is the diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation. When we are constantly exposed to a stimulus that does not change, we become less aware of it because our nerve cells fire less frequently.
- Allows you to focus your attention on informative changes in your environment without being distracted by irrelevant information such as odours or background noise

Question 5

Weber’s Law

Answer 5

Is the principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount):
Different thresholds increase in proportion to the size of the stimulus.